Could anyone please tell me the shortest and quickest way from S.F. Intl airport to Santa Cruz leaving on a Thurs. at 6 p.m.
I would imagine there is heavy traffic somewhere due to rush hour?!

"I would imagine there is heavy traffic somewhere . . " That is a pretty safe bet. The worst of the commute will start winding down around 6:60 but there could be jams anywhere.

The most direct would be 101 south towards San Jose, Stevens Creek Blvd (hwy 85) to hwy 17 over the hill to Santa Cruz.

Just about the same would be 101 to the junction w/ 880 to 17 in San Jose

and a 3rd semi-direct route is 101 south to 92 in San Mateo, then 280 south to 85 to 17.

But which would be the fastest is anybody's guess. You could hit solid traffic on any of them. A stall or wreck anywhere along your route could double your travel time.

But does it really have to be the fastest. If it were me I'd take 92 all the way to Half Moon Bay and drive down the coast on hwy 1. The only town of any size is Half Moon Bay - from there all the way to SC is just a lovely drive.

sheesh - that should be "winding down around 6:30 . . . . ."

101 South from the airport would be crawling in a few strectches allthe way to San Jose.

The faster way, due to smoother traffic condition would be to take I-280 South from San Bruno (from the airport) and then take I-85, I-17 and Hwy 1 to Santa Crruz.

To receive real-time traffic updates from your cellular phone in the Bay Area, dial 511. The voice-activated "Guy Smiley" will inform you of any reported issues.

I prefer 280 from San Bruno (near SFO long-term parking) because it has the most lanes (5 and 4) and traffic seems to move at a nice clip with great reliability.

Anticipate a slowdown on Hwy 17 (aka 880 to receive federal funds) where it merges with Hwy 85 and passes through Los Gatos, as Hwy 17 loses a lane, and reduces from 3 to 2 lanes. Traffic moves along again after Lexington Reservoir...and sometimes not until Redwood Estates.

You're describing my old commute. Ask us more questions...

Thanks for responses. Trying to make a concert for my son which starts around 7:30, but real band not till maybe 8:30 at the latest-plane gets in at 5 p.m.-luggage, rent car figure 6pm(if plane not late, etc.)How much time do you think it takes-give or take?

Like the other posters said take 280. It's a nicer drive and it rarely backs up, even during rush hour. 101 is awful, avoid it.

Where in Santa Cruz is the concert? Usually it takes me an hour and 15 to an hour and a 1/2 to get home from the airport. I'm used to driving 17 though and if you're not ot may take you longer. If there is a wreck on 17 (which is not uncommon) than it can take quite awhile to get over the hill.

Wow, I was afraid of that time factor! The concert is at a local venue the Catalyst the band is 311.
Let me get this staight:
I-280
Hwy 17? (short way-or just straight toI-85?)
I-85
Hwy 17; then Hwy 101 to Santa Cruz

In your last line, you added 101. Delete that from the trip.
17 connects with Hwy 1. Both touch Santa Cruz. To get to the Catalyst, you would take Hwy 1 North for a short distance. There's a large sign with lights (that many locals find controversial) at the "entrance" to downtown Santa Cruz, where the Catalyst is located on the Pacific Garden Mall.

Thanks-helps alot-no time for mistakes!

If you're going to the Catalyst at least you don't have to drive across town.
OK here we go. From the airport you can get to 280 through San Bruno, you'll have to get to El Camino Real, make a left on El Camino, then a right on Truesdale (sp?) which will take you to 280. There is also a freeway connection to 280 from SFO. You have take 101 north then take 305 or 350 (can't remember) to 280.
Now that you are totally confused, it might be easier if you are unfamilier with the area for you to take 101 south to 92 west to 280 south to 85 south to 17 south.
To get the Catalyst once you get to Santa Cruz 17 turns into highway 1, stay on 1, heading north until you get to the intersection of highway 1 and River Street. Get in left turn lanes and turn left on River. Turn Right on North Pacific, go straight through the light and you will now be on Front Street which runs parallel with Pacific Ave. where the Catalyst is located. Park anywhere you can and have fun.
By the way, were you not able to get a flight into San Jose?

I believe that would be Hwy 380 westbound that connects 101 with 280 at the airport area.

Thanks, that's right 380. I never go that way so I couldn't remember. At least I had the 3 right.

Haha! This sounds like when Johnny Carson did his "fork in the road" explanation. I think I'll be alright -I'm from Houston(lots of freeways-heavy,quick traffic)& have done fine in L.A. & Atlanta. Just hating being in a hurry on a trip-oh well-Doing 5 states-didn't realise re: San Jose airport until recently-$$$to change now!We have about 4 days anyway-to see S.F., Redwoods etc. Know any 4-5 star hotels-prob spend night in Santa Cruz-then Carmel,see Redwoods (wherever they are?!) & S.F.

Vivamar-really appreciate your help with directions - I plan to print them out to take with me.
Thanks again!

Viamar

4-5 stars are pretty hard to come by in Santa Cruz. Chaminade or Seascape Resort in Aptos probably come close. We do have quite a few very nice b & bs. The Inn on Depot Hill in Capitola or the Pleasure Point Inn are 2 that I can think of.
As for redwoods Big Basin has the biggest trees.Other parks are Henry Cowell and Nisene Marks in Aptos.

I sorta figured that, but first night really don't need anything special. Might just stay at a Best Western then move next day. We usally like staying at places like the Chamide, been looking at their web site-nice-I LOVE THE TREES! Either stay another night there or Carmel or Monterey. Long time ago I went to Carmel & just remember there was some place on east side of 101, but apparently they book up maybe months or a year ahead. Still have a month before we go, but at this rate I better be prepared!

380 to 280 involves a short jog north on 101 from the airport, but it will get you to 280 faster than going south on 101 to 92, where you're likely to run into traffic. 280 is a fine high speed freeway, also it is officially "the most beautiful freeway in the world", there's a sign that says so! The San Andreas Fault runs just west and parallel to 280, there a large resevoir that you can glimpse from the freeway above the fault.

85 is also a pretty good freeway where you shouldn't have much backup. 17 is a different story. 17 is a twisty, narrow freeway over the mountains where people still try to maintain normal freeway speeds, so accidents are not uncommon, and when they happen they block everything for miles.

If you get word that there's such a backup on 17 you could take Hwy 9 over the hills. This is not a fast route, it's a twisty two lane highway, but it can get you there faster than 17 *if* and only *if* 17 is blocked up and crawling.

Hwy 9 is also your gateway to the redwoods. take it north from Santa Cruz to Boulder Creek, where you get onto Hwy 236 to Big Basin HQ, where the biggest trees in the area are.